Kody Durnford's Blog

Does your birthday determine if you become a CEO? A recent report done by a Sauder professor, Maurice Levi, shows that your birthday determines, to some extent, your chances of becoming a CEO. Through this article, its is explained how the chances of being an CEO vary with different birthdays, and how the younger individuals are often not CEOs. I find this article interesting as even with a variety of external stimuli, there was a connection between birthday and rank in a company. The article states that due to the the current schooling system and the interaction of children, older children are often given the advantage and therefore can gain the skills required to become a successful business owner and leader. After reading this article questions are raised as to whether or not the schooling system should be better designed to give all children an equal chance further in life and an equal opportunity to become leaders in the community regardless of age.

Sources

http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/News/2012/Born_in_summer_Odds_are_youre_not_a_CEO#.

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Gulia Turco’s raises some extremely good points on the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, and the effect that this will have on the economy of the states. Something to consider though the legalization of this substances in two states is the acceptance of this legalization thought the nation and through, the continent. It can now be expected that more and more people will become accepting of the recent legalization and therefore many more states, and countries will move into legalizing cannabis.

So can Canada expect to see laws passed legalizing the use of cannabis across the nation for non-medical use? I believe that like America, the acceptance of the use of this drug is varies extremely depending on where you live, but I not see these laws being passed in the near future, although the nation would benefit from these economic sales.  As Gulia points out, there are further benefits to legalizing the drug, but the primary benefit for government is the reducing of cost in fighting this trend of illegal use of a drug.

Sources

https://blogs.ubc.ca/giuliat/

http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/total-marijuana-legalization-3-states-will-take-a-vote/

The NHL lockout has now had a sever effect, not only on hockey fans but on the economies of major cities but now has severely effected Detroit’s economy and the possibility for future growth. As Matt Lundy illustrates in his blog, the NHL is in a tough situation with its lockout and loss to a variety of economies. Though this article, I find it very interesting to see the effect that not only fans have because of the lockout but the effect that the NHL has on itself, as the league misses the opportunity of growth, by canceling the game.

In my opinion, and I believe the opinion of many fans, the NHL needs to fix this issue as soon as possible, due to the effect on not only fans but cities.  The Winter Classic serves not only as a major source of revenue for the NHL, but as a marketing tool, as Lundy explain the number of viewers of the Winter Classic far exceed any other games played in the season.

Sources

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/business_briefings/105282–the-nhl-cancels-winter-classic-game-suffers-another-pr-disaster

Sustainability

Thrill of the Catch from Jarrett Corke on Vimeo.

Our world is changing at an incredible pace. From new technology being developed daily, such as the new ability to communicate with robotics on Mars instantly, to the planting of trees, humans have an extraordinary impact on our world. And this impact isn’t always good. How many species has the human population killed, how many individuals of a species have we killed, how many humans have we killed?

We need drastic change to ensure that the impacts that we have are for the benefit of not only humans, but of other species, such as the blue sharks in Jarrett Corke’s video. As mentioned in the video, we have had a drastic effect on the population of a creature that has been around for millions of years, and yet we do nothing to protect this animal. Its time that we, as people became aware of the effects our actions have and are held responsible for these actions.

Sources

http://vimeo.com

http://vimeo.com/user10843881

As Wesley comments on how RIM has failed to remain a key player in consumer’s minds, the question is raised as to who will gain from RIM’s loss.

With giant corporations such as Apple, and Google, in the market, and looking to expand, RIM’s slack in product innovation and ability to “meet industry standards”, will surely be overcome by these expanding companies. With Android phones becoming more and more popular, since the release of phones such as the Galaxy S III, many are beginning to believe in the rise of this company above Apple in the future. Apple is now showing signs that RIM has previously shown, such as a lack of innovation, with little change to the recently launched iPhone 5, and should become a major concern to the company if they lose ground in the cell phone marketplace.

With RIM losing ground in the market of cell phones and tablets, Apple and Android are looking to gain from this lose and Android is doing an effective job of this, while Apple still has a lead due to the clean, elegant look of their product.

Sources

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/BlackBerry+continues+plunge+among+smartphone+users/7260193/story.html

https://blogs.ubc.ca/wesleyprahalad/

http://techdeville.com/2012/11/11/uk-court-orders-apple-to-pay-samsungs-legal-fees/

Addicted to Stocks?

The stocks are becoming addicting to more people ever day, as they become a way to quickly accumulate an individuals income, and it is due to this that the stocks have become so addictive. In fact, the stocks have become so addictive that many websites and self help centers have a gambling and stock gambling center. Why is this such a concern? Because people do not realize what they are really doing to their hard worked for income, and the effect that they have on the others that rely on them for food and shelter.

Many resources are readily available if you search for gambling or stock addictions, such as The Wild Investor’s blog on the 14 Symptoms of Stock Trading, to further prove that individuals do suffer from this addiction. Within The Wild Investor’s blog, it is highlighted how to recognize the stages, or appearance of the addiction to stocks, and how to combat this addiction.

Does this mean that stock are unhealthily, bad for the economy and the system of stock trading needs to be dismantled? No, not at all, as the stocks provide an amazing amount of revenue across the world and ultimately keep our economies running. All the addiction problem means is that the public need to be better educated and made aware of the possible consequences of their actions.

Sources

http://www.gambling-addictions.com/gambling-articles/slot-machines-pose-risk-for-compulsiveaddicted-gamblers.html

http://thewildinvestor.com/14-symptoms-of-stock-trading/

Coca-Cola is an old company, with roots in every nation across the globe and thousands of products consumed every day, this company is a leader that many businesses can look up to and admire. After being the most recognizable brand for a consecutive number of years, how long can they really stay on top? With Apple emerging as the number second most recognized brand worldwide, just shy behind Coca-Cola, it’s only a matter of time, before Apple becomes number one.  With Apple growing by over 58% in 2010 (Class 11 Slides), and by 129% in 2011, Apple has moved daringly close to Coca-Cola on Interbrands list.

While Coca-Cola and Apple fight for top spot, many other brands, such as Nokia and Disney are struggling to stay in the top ten, as both have recently seen a shrinking value. Both of these companies will need a revolutionary design to enable the companies to compete with the like of Apple, Google and Coca-Cola, and boost their company value to the net level

Sources

http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/2012/Best-Global-Brands-2012.aspx

Class 11 Slides (Vista)

Why should the Government of BC allow a pipeline to drive and pump a chemically and environmentally dangerous product, through a province who is dedicated to the environment? As Terry Lake, reports, BC is a province home to with the healthiest people in Canada that love the outdoors. With the introduction, BC will face a variety of concerns and benefits as the pipeline impacts the province. Among these will be economic benefit, from the selling of the oil, but many of the issues will be major concerns as the province will now have to deal with the clean up of any spills, and spill prevention.

With conservation being a key issue globally today, citizens of British Columbia and and government will be forced to decide if the benefits of this pipeline out weight the issues that can be foreseen. With many citizens for and against, individuals will have to take action and voice their opinions if they want a choice in the matter.

ENVIRONMENT VS ECONOMICS

Sources:

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Opinion+Five+requirements+Northern+Gateway +pipeline+based/7346576/story.html

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/08/09/enbridge-defends-pipeline-safety-ads-but- critics-insist-company-is-playing-catch-up/

http://uvsp.uvic.ca/news/anti-enbridge-hunger-strike-and-strategizing/

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Opinion+Five+requirements+Northern+Gateway+pipeline+based/7346576/story.html

Christian is completely right in how the cruel abuse of sharks, for just their fins in wrong and inhuman. Why, for the single use of soup, can we kill the innocent shark, and often leave them to suffer, just to use their fins as a delicacy? The answer is, we cannot. As animals are killed daily to help feed our ever growing population, they are killed for the reason of providing food, not for the simple purpose of using only one part of the animal in a delicate soup.

Further action needs to be implied to protect these creature, who usually have no predators and are not used to having to breed with the constant treat of being killed. This needs to be done, not only to protect each shark individually but to protect the population of sharks, and the lifestyle that sharks live, as humans have probably already had such a impact on their lives. As we have created this impact on the natural world, we now need to stop and fix what we have done, even at the cost of the shark hunting business.

Links

https://blogs.ubc.ca/christianlegazpi/

http://www.thedorsalfin.com/opinions-in-the-media/chuck-thompson-expose-on-the-lies-of-shark-fin-soup/

What is Apple’s trick to being featured in movies and shows, left right and center? Apparently its not paying companies/producers to even feature its products, says the businessinsider.com. Apparently the only trick that Apple really has up its sleeve is free products and a policy that state any news is good news, and with over 42 million dollars (estimated screen time), I think its working for them.

Is this the trick to getting consumers to want your product? Put it in all the top box office movies and show how all the “hot” movie character want your product, and therefore every other person should want the latest and greatest Iphone? Apparently. With Apple a dominate player in todays worldof electronics, the company has surely found a key ingredient to product success.

Link

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-product-placements-in-tv-and-movies-2012-8?op=1